Elizabeth Waltman • erusse1@students.towson.edu, Elizabeth_Waltman@hcpss.org
Bio
My name is Elizabeth and I just got married!
I graduated from Towson University in 2009 with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education. I quickly realized during my student teaching in elementary schools that I absolutely hated teaching reading (which is kind of a big deal in elementary!) so I decided to get my middle school math certification and focus on just teaching math.
I was going to be surplussed my first year teaching so my principal strongly suggested I take the secondary math praxis so that I would be secondary certified and therefore have a little more job security. I passed the test (barely) but noticed that I definitely needed to refresh my content knowledge in order to be the best secondary math teacher I could be.
Which leads me to this course.... I am excited that I only have three more classes left to get my Master's Degree in Math Education.
Learning Task #2
Web 2.0 is an upgrade to web tools from the original way web tools were created. Web 2.0 tools allow for people to create, share, collaborate, and interact through the internet. The majority of these tools are user-friendly and do not require intense computer knowledge to take advantage of their usefulness.
10. Percent Visulalizer The percent visualizer could be used with solving multi-step ratio or percent problems in 7.RP.A.3
9. System Solver System solver helps students see the rationale behind why they are doing each step in solving systems of equations in 8.EE.C.8 and A.REI.C.5
8. Ratio Tables Ratio tables can aid in understanding ratio concepts in 6.RP.A.3.
7. Model Algebra Helps students to visualize solving beginning equations with a balance for 6.EE.B.5.
6. Linear Transformer Linear transformer can be used to build new functions from existing functions in F.BF.B.3.
5. Scale Factor This Illumination's activity helps to see the similarities between measurements and scale factor in similar figures in 7.G.A.1.
4. Function Transformations Identify effects of vertical transformations on graphs in F.BF.B.3
3. Order of Operations Reinforce rules for order of operations for 7.NS.A.3.
2.Color Counters Red and yellow chips can be used to help understand integer subtraction in 7.NS.1.
1. Algbera Tiles Algebra tiles could be used to solve equations in 7.EE.B.4, multi-step equations in 8.EE.C.7 or factoring quadratics in F.IF.C.8.
Learning Task #5
Students: This form can be used for students to reflect on their performance in Math for second quarter. I converted a form that I have used with the students in the past to a Google form and am looking forward to using it at the end of Quarter 2. 2nd Quarter Reflection
Colleagues: I created a form to use with the teachers at my school to gauge how teachers are feeling about the PBIS program in our school. I am a co-chair with the school psychologist and we are always looking for areas of improvement and a way to earn the Gold award for the second year in a row :) PBIS Satisfaction Survey
100 meter dash video Standard:6.SP.B.4. Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots. Warm-up: Watch 100 meter dash video. Task: The Olympic Committee has asked you to research the different winning times for the 100 meter dash since 1896. Pick a representation that will best display your data. Analyze your data and make any conclusions based on your representation. Closure: Students will present their data displays to the class while explaining why they chose their data representation.
100 meter freestyle video Standard:8.SP.A.2. Know that straight lines are widely used to model relationships between two quantitative variables. For scatter plots that suggest a linear association, informally fit a straight line, and informally assess the model fit by judging the closeness of the data points to the line. Warm-up: Watch first two minutes of 100 meter freestyle video. Task: Predict which year a swimmer will break the 45 second threshold. Closure: Finish watching video and see if student predictions match the video.
Long Jump Standard:S.ID.C.8 Compute (using technology) and interpret the correlation coefficient of a linear fit. Warm-up: Watch long jump video. Task: Determine if there is a correlation between the length of the runners jump and the wind. Closure: Based on the video, does there seem to be any other lurking variables besides wind and length of jump?
Three more videos: Sugar Rainbow
This video from sick science shows how to make a use rainbow using sugar, water, and food color. 6.RP.A.1. Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.
Students in Common Core 6 can represent the different ratios created with each different color and then make conclusions about why the water forms a rainbow.
Folding Paper Seven Plus Times
This video from Myth Busters takes a football size piece of paper and try to bust a myth that paper can only be folded seven times. 8.EE.A.1. Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions. Students in Common Core 8 can write equivalent expressions using the number of folds of the paper and how many sections have been created from the fold.
Optimal Potatoes
This video from Vi Hart takes "math" potatoes for a Thanksgiving dinner. 7.G.B.6. Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume, and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects composed of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, cubes, and right prisms. Students in Common Core 7 can create the perfect shape for mashed potatoes to keep the most gravy on top and not spill over.
Interactive... can answer questions and give reasons why it's wrong and help find new solution
Track progress throughout
Explains the WHY of some topics
Cons:
Subjects not exactly the same as common core units
Some topics not in the same grade that they occur in Howard County curriculum (might be more about HoCo than Kahn Academy)
I actually prefer Learn Zillion as a teacher, but I would prefer Kahn academy for my students. I think Learn Zillion is a great resource to give teachers a better understanding of topics that they may not have strong content knowledge about. Kahn academy can help students understand topics that have been taught, but that they might need to hear it a different way.
Mobile Apps
Basic Math Fact Practice
App: Math Racing
In Math Racing students solve basic math problems including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. While they are solving problems they are participating in a monster truck race and they get a boost each time they answer a question correctly. There are three different levels to help all students. You can also choose to focus on just 1s, 2s, 3s, 12s, etc... This app is great because it will keep the students attention since they are actually competing in a race and may forget they are actually doing math as well. This would definitely help students with the mental math that they need to be successful in the upper math classes when a calculator is not permitted.
Number Sense Development
App: Number Duel
In Number Duel students try to determine the larger amount between two numbers. In the free version, students can do whole numbers, integers, and sums so it good for students up to grade 7. The app can be upgraded to include differences, products, fractions, and decimals. The goal is to reach 21 points. Students get one point for each right answer and -3 for every wrong answer which eliminates students just trying to guess to get through the set. With each correct answer, the < or > symbol appears which will reinforce which is less than or greater than to help the students who still have difficulty with the symbols.
Puzzler/Problem Solver
App: Power of 2!
Power of 2 is a number-match game where players slide numbers together to add them and create new numbers. Simple enough for beginners to enjoy yet challenging enough to keep students interested if they can think several moves ahead. While the adding of numbers may help reinforce some basic doubling skill, the real purpose of this game is really to use logic and problem solving skills to earn the highest skill. This could be used as extension activities for when students are finished with class work or quizzes but other students are still working.
Content beyond whole number ideas App: Fraction Basics This app has literally everything that students may need to understand fractions through interactive videos. The videos start with understanding what a fraction is and and then includes all the operations and converting to decimals and percents. This would be an excellent source for all students to create a deep and rich understanding of fractions which seems to be a difficult spot for children year after year.
Tool or manipulative
App: Interactive Integers - Addition and Subtraction
This app is not free like the apps above but it is great in showing the concepts behind adding and subtracting integers. There are three different levels so students could start out with building their confidence and then move to more difficult problems. Students can also choose whether they use integer chips or a number line so it reinforces that there is more than one way to solve a problem. There is also an information screen that provides explanations and examples to help the students.
Part 3: Web 2.0 Project
Desmos - The online interactive graphing calculator
Bio
My name is Elizabeth and I just got married!
I graduated from Towson University in 2009 with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education. I quickly realized during my student teaching in elementary schools that I absolutely hated teaching reading (which is kind of a big deal in elementary!) so I decided to get my middle school math certification and focus on just teaching math.
I was going to be surplussed my first year teaching so my principal strongly suggested I take the secondary math praxis so that I would be secondary certified and therefore have a little more job security. I passed the test (barely) but noticed that I definitely needed to refresh my content knowledge in order to be the best secondary math teacher I could be.
Which leads me to this course.... I am excited that I only have three more classes left to get my Master's Degree in Math Education.
Learning Task #1 (submitted through email)
Learning Task #2
Web 2.0 is an upgrade to web tools from the original way web tools were created. Web 2.0 tools allow for people to create, share, collaborate, and interact through the internet. The majority of these tools are user-friendly and do not require intense computer knowledge to take advantage of their usefulness.
TodaysMeet
KidBlog
Learning Task #3
Biteslide on Laws of Exponents
Prezi on Solving Systems of Equations
Learning Task #4
10. Percent Visulalizer The percent visualizer could be used with solving multi-step ratio or percent problems in 7.RP.A.3
9. System Solver System solver helps students see the rationale behind why they are doing each step in solving systems of equations in 8.EE.C.8 and A.REI.C.5
8. Ratio Tables Ratio tables can aid in understanding ratio concepts in 6.RP.A.3.
7. Model Algebra Helps students to visualize solving beginning equations with a balance for 6.EE.B.5.
6. Linear Transformer Linear transformer can be used to build new functions from existing functions in F.BF.B.3.
5. Scale Factor This Illumination's activity helps to see the similarities between measurements and scale factor in similar figures in 7.G.A.1.
4. Function Transformations Identify effects of vertical transformations on graphs in F.BF.B.3
3. Order of Operations Reinforce rules for order of operations for 7.NS.A.3.
2.Color Counters Red and yellow chips can be used to help understand integer subtraction in 7.NS.1.
1. Algbera Tiles Algebra tiles could be used to solve equations in 7.EE.B.4, multi-step equations in 8.EE.C.7 or factoring quadratics in F.IF.C.8.
Learning Task #5
Students: This form can be used for students to reflect on their performance in Math for second quarter. I converted a form that I have used with the students in the past to a Google form and am looking forward to using it at the end of Quarter 2. 2nd Quarter Reflection
Colleagues: I created a form to use with the teachers at my school to gauge how teachers are feeling about the PBIS program in our school. I am a co-chair with the school psychologist and we are always looking for areas of improvement and a way to earn the Gold award for the second year in a row :) PBIS Satisfaction Survey
Learning Task #6
Text 2 Mind Map
Factoring Polynomials
Padlet
Angle Relationships
Popplet
Order of Operations
Learning Task #7
100 meter dash video
Standard: 6.SP.B.4. Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.
Warm-up: Watch 100 meter dash video.
Task: The Olympic Committee has asked you to research the different winning times for the 100 meter dash since 1896. Pick a representation that will best display your data. Analyze your data and make any conclusions based on your representation.
Closure: Students will present their data displays to the class while explaining why they chose their data representation.
100 meter freestyle video
Standard: 8.SP.A.2. Know that straight lines are widely used to model relationships between two quantitative variables. For scatter plots that suggest a linear association, informally fit a straight line, and informally assess the model fit by judging the closeness of the data points to the line.
Warm-up: Watch first two minutes of 100 meter freestyle video.
Task: Predict which year a swimmer will break the 45 second threshold.
Closure: Finish watching video and see if student predictions match the video.
Long Jump
Standard: S.ID.C.8 Compute (using technology) and interpret the correlation coefficient of a linear fit.
Warm-up: Watch long jump video.
Task: Determine if there is a correlation between the length of the runners jump and the wind.
Closure: Based on the video, does there seem to be any other lurking variables besides wind and length of jump?
Three more videos:
Sugar Rainbow
This video from sick science shows how to make a use rainbow using sugar, water, and food color.
6.RP.A.1. Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.
Students in Common Core 6 can represent the different ratios created with each different color and then make conclusions about why the water forms a rainbow.
Folding Paper Seven Plus Times
This video from Myth Busters takes a football size piece of paper and try to bust a myth that paper can only be folded seven times.
8.EE.A.1. Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions.
Students in Common Core 8 can write equivalent expressions using the number of folds of the paper and how many sections have been created from the fold.
Optimal Potatoes
This video from Vi Hart takes "math" potatoes for a Thanksgiving dinner.
7.G.B.6. Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume, and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects composed of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, cubes, and right prisms.
Students in Common Core 7 can create the perfect shape for mashed potatoes to keep the most gravy on top and not spill over.
Learn Zillion
Correlation Coefficient Lesson
Pythagorean Theorem on a Coordinate Grid
Pros:
- Includes common misconceptions
- Aligned to common core standards
- Resources for parents
- Note templates for students
Cons:Kahn Academy
Parallel Lines and Transversals
Why we do the same thing to both sides
Pros:
- Interactive... can answer questions and give reasons why it's wrong and help find new solution
- Track progress throughout
- Explains the WHY of some topics
Cons:I actually prefer Learn Zillion as a teacher, but I would prefer Kahn academy for my students. I think Learn Zillion is a great resource to give teachers a better understanding of topics that they may not have strong content knowledge about. Kahn academy can help students understand topics that have been taught, but that they might need to hear it a different way.
Learning Task #8
System of Equations
3D Pythagorean Theorem
Learning Task #9
Rubistar
Poll Everywhere
High School Recommendation Survey
Testmoz
Real Numbers Quiz
Password: rationalwaltman
Learning Task #10
Part 1: 15 Technologies That Were Supposed to Change Education
Reflection on KidBlog KidBlogPart 2: Mobile Apps Project
Mobile Apps Prezi
Mobile Apps
Basic Math Fact Practice
App: Math Racing
In Math Racing students solve basic math problems including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. While they are solving problems they are participating in a monster truck race and they get a boost each time they answer a question correctly. There are three different levels to help all students. You can also choose to focus on just 1s, 2s, 3s, 12s, etc... This app is great because it will keep the students attention since they are actually competing in a race and may forget they are actually doing math as well. This would definitely help students with the mental math that they need to be successful in the upper math classes when a calculator is not permitted.
Number Sense Development
App: Number Duel
In Number Duel students try to determine the larger amount between two numbers. In the free version, students can do whole numbers, integers, and sums so it good for students up to grade 7. The app can be upgraded to include differences, products, fractions, and decimals. The goal is to reach 21 points. Students get one point for each right answer and -3 for every wrong answer which eliminates students just trying to guess to get through the set. With each correct answer, the < or > symbol appears which will reinforce which is less than or greater than to help the students who still have difficulty with the symbols.
Puzzler/Problem Solver
App: Power of 2!
Power of 2 is a number-match game where players slide numbers together to add them and create new numbers. Simple enough for beginners to enjoy yet challenging enough to keep students interested if they can think several moves ahead. While the adding of numbers may help reinforce some basic doubling skill, the real purpose of this game is really to use logic and problem solving skills to earn the highest skill. This could be used as extension activities for when students are finished with class work or quizzes but other students are still working.
Content beyond whole number ideas
App: Fraction Basics
This app has literally everything that students may need to understand fractions through interactive videos. The videos start with understanding what a fraction is and and then includes all the operations and converting to decimals and percents. This would be an excellent source for all students to create a deep and rich understanding of fractions which seems to be a difficult spot for children year after year.
Tool or manipulative
App: Interactive Integers - Addition and Subtraction
This app is not free like the apps above but it is great in showing the concepts behind adding and subtracting integers. There are three different levels so students could start out with building their confidence and then move to more difficult problems. Students can also choose whether they use integer chips or a number line so it reinforces that there is more than one way to solve a problem. There is also an information screen that provides explanations and examples to help the students.
Part 3: Web 2.0 Project
Desmos - The online interactive graphing calculator